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  • Eglin fighters shine at Bright Star

    The 33rd Fighter Wing here was the Air Force’s lone fighter unit in Egypt to participate in the joint-combined training exercise Bright Star 05/06.The exercise, which began Sept. 10 and ends Oct. 3, is U.S. Central Command’s largest coalition exercise. It tests theater engagement activity and boosts

  • Medics transform ‘Toy Land’ into medical treatment facility

    The Texas Air National Guard stood up Task Force Compassion here to provide Hurricane Rita evacuees medical support and to evacuate non-critical patients from overburdened local hospitals.Task force Airmen and Soldiers began setting up a 10-bed medical treatment facility overnight in Ellington’s

  • Check the oil please

    It’s a long flight over “the pond” from the United States to Africa and Europe. Sometimes that flight is twice as long for those deploying to Southwest Asia.Moron Air Base is bout halfway to those locations -- and the key bases from where the U.S. military runs Operations Iraqi and Enduring

  • Relief supplies, people continue arriving at Ellington Field

    More than 100 tons of relief supplies have left this airfield for hurricane-affected Gulf Coast areas via CH-47 Chinook helicopters since Sept. 24. The airfield, which is the central hub for Texas relief operations, is home to the 147th Fighter Wing and its fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcon jets. Wing

  • Air Force national museum adds ‘Wild Weasel’ exhibit

    An exhibit commemorating the accomplishments of the "Wild Weasels" during the Vietnam War was unveiled recently at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.The exhibit contains an F-105G "Thunderchief" aircraft; an SA-2 surface-to-air missile and launcher; items such as maps, flight gear, helmets,

  • Rehab center to target rebuilding lives

    A former Soldier and his son, now philanthropists, joined wounded warriors and military leaders at Brooke Army Medical Center here Sept. 22 to break ground for two 21-bedroom Fisher Houses and a privately funded rehabilitation center.Arnold Fisher, honorary chairman of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes

  • Predators fly first four-ship sorties

    The latest upgrade to the MQ-1 Predator, known as the Multi-Aircraft Control, or MAC system, entered operational testing with the first two-ship and four-ship Predator sorties being flown over a four-day period.Testers performed two-ship sorties Sept. 12 and 13 and progressed to four-ship sorties

  • Albanian and Slovakian officers visit Warrior Preparation Center

    Nine Albanian and Slovakian officers visited the Warrior Preparation Center here Sept. 20 to 23.The officers viewed hands-on tactics through high-tech training demonstrations at the facility, which is jointly owned by U.S. Army, Europe and U.S. Air Forces in Europe. Although they were there to gain

  • Rescue teams switch to stand-by mode

    Search-and-rescue aircrews here will fly as needed, but are no longer launching on pre-planned missions to find victims of Hurricane Rita, officials said Sept. 26.The changes come as four HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters moved from here to Ellington Field, near Houston. They also will be on stand-by

  • All-female combat crew takes it in stride

    A crew of six Airmen at a forward deployed location climbed aboard a C-130 Hercules together recently for the first time in their careers. But something distinguished this mission from others they had flown --it was the first time an all-female C-130 crew flew a combat mission. Capt. Carol

  • Air Force successfully launches GPS satellite

    The Air Force’s 45th Space Wing, its mission partners and Boeing successfully launched a Global Positioning System satellite into orbit on a Delta II space launch vehicle at 11:37 p.m. Sept. 25. The GPS constellation provides continuous, precise three-dimensional location information -- including

  • Airmen stand ready in wake of Hurricane Rita

    Approximately 800 Air Force people, 91 aircraft and 31 equipment packages with a variety of capabilities have actively supported Hurricane Rita response efforts, or continue to stand ready to do so.Pararescue teams with the Air Force Reserve's 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., and

  • Guard unit supports hurricane relief operations at Ellington

    Hurricane Katrina relief operations had just slowed down when Airmen with the 136th Tanker Airlift Control Element had to quickly pack their bags to support another hurricane relief operation -- this time in their home state.The 10-person TALCE team and 26 Airmen from the 136th Aerial Port Squadron

  • Rita doesn’t prevent happy homecoming

    Senior Airman Leah Saldivar waited with excitement for her father, Master Sgt. Florencio Saldivar, to depart the plane that brought him home from Balad Air Base, Iraq. It had only been a few days since she had last seen him. Airman Saldivar had returned from the same deployment only a few days

  • Guard Airmen create solution, refuel evacuation efforts

    Two Texas Air National Guard Airmen created a custom-made fuel truck nozzle allowing 100 stranded buses to return to evacuation support efforts in Beaumont, Texas, Sept. 23. Master Sgt. Lynn Bailey, 147th Fighter Wing fuels shop superintendent, and Staff Sgt. Vic Taylor, 147th FW refueling mechanic,

  • Rescue crews make five saves in Texas, Louisiana

    Air Force search-and-rescue crews made five saves and assisted in six others Sept. 24 during post-storm operations over areas of Louisiana and Texas affected by Hurricane Rita.The saves were made by Airmen flying HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and HC-130 Hercules refueling aircraft. The aircrews and

  • Air Force continues Hurricane Rita support

    In response to Hurricane Rita, the Air Force has flown 82 missions supporting evacuation, relief and recovery operations. Additionally, Air Force search and rescue crews began combing the Gulf Coast Sept. 24, and the Air Force's auxiliary volunteer force continues to assist in aerial damage

  • McGuire unit returns from Hurricane Rita mission

    Twenty members of McGuire Air Force Base’s 621st Contingency Response Wing deployed to Beaumont, Texas, Sept. 22 to assist hurricane evacuation efforts for more than 1,900 people at the Southeast Texas Regional Airport.During the vital few hours the Airmen were on the ground, they helped move about

  • Ellington Field ramps up for relief operations

    Airmen who rode out Hurricane Rita at Ellington Field -- near Galveston -- left shelters there to set up an airlift hub to help storm relief efforts.The 147th Fighter Wing cleaned up storm debris Sept. 24 hours after the storm passed through. And by the time the weather cleared enough for flight

  • ACC commander praises role of Airmen

    Endurance will be the key to winning the war on terrorism, and the Air Combat Command commander told Airmen here their long-term commitment is paying off.“This is a long-haul engagement we’re in, and we can’t falter now,” said Gen. Ronald E. Keys. “We’re making some real advances, but we can’t pack

  • ROVERs aid in search and rescue

    In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, local recovery authorities needed helping seeing what was happening on the ground. That is when Airmen brought in ROVER, the Air Force’s cutting edge combat technology to the table, to support combined rescue operations. The Remote Operations Video Enhanced Receiver

  • Air Force issues headphone guidance for PT uniforms

    Air Force officials issued guidance for the wear of headphones while wearing the official physical training uniform.Airmen dressed in the PT uniform are authorized to wear headphones while participating in personal fitness and other off-duty activities said officials at the Air Force Personnel

  • Lessons learned aid preparation for Hurricane Rita

    With Airmen still working recovery efforts from Hurricane Katrina, the Air Force prepares for the second major hurricane to hit the Gulf Coast in just over three weeks.Lessons were learned from Hurricane Katrina, and the Air Force wasted no time in implementing them.Airlift aircraft and helicopters

  • Lackland Airmen among thousands on pre-Rita duty

    As Hurricane Rita forces millions to evacuate the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast, Airmen at many bases are ready to join first-response relief operations.The Air Force joins a massive Department of Defense mobilization that will send thousands of troops into areas affected by the hurricane. Defense

  • Air Force busy before the storm

    Waiting for Hurricane Rita is now a national vigil -- but the Air Force has not been idle, waiting for the storm to hit.Instead, it mobilized.Some Airmen moved to locations nearer to where the hurricane will make landfall -- along the Texas-Louisiana border. They need to be close when the order

  • Dyess Airmen prepare shelters for evacuees

    Airmen here helped local American Red Cross officials prepare three shelters in Abilene, Texas Sept. 23 for Hurricane Rita evacuees.About 100 Airmen put together cots and hauled water in preparation for more than 450 evacuees seeking shelter from the hurricane.Senior Master Sgt. Deb Norris, 7th

  • Airmen take steps to ensure body armor stays intact

    Several unpleasant reactions may have crossed the minds of Airmen when the supply person handed them body armor for a deployment, and "heavy" was undoubtedly the most common reaction.A two-plated vest body armor design, weighing more than some 3-year-olds and a necessity in many deployed locations,

  • Combat convoy course expands to driving 18-wheelers

    The Basic Combat Convoy Course here now includes teaching Airmen to drive tractor-trailer supply trucks and gun trucks as convoy operations in Iraq have evolved into longer, more dangerous missions, course leaders said.All Airmen in the course also are now receiving combat lifesaver training during

  • Natural disaster registration established for AF personnel

    To better assist Air Force members and their families relocated due to recent events, the Air Force Personnel Readiness Center has established a natural disaster registration form.Air Force active duty, Reserve and National Guard military or civilian employees, retirees from any Air Force component,

  • Power pro creates energy to sustain base operations

    One office here works behind the scenes day and night to harvest an under-appreciated necessity everyone needs to do their job -- electricity. Every time a person here flips a light switch, turns on a computer, gets a cold drink out of the refrigerator or relaxes in air conditioning, he or she can

  • AMC 'chasing the clock' to move Hurricane Rita evacuees

    As a second major hurricane bears down on the Gulf Coast region, Air Mobility Command Airmen are helping evacuate hundreds of people from the path of the storm.Hurricane Rita, a Category 3 storm boasting 125-mph winds, is expected to hit the Texas Gulf Coast in the early morning hours of Sept. 24.On

  • Rebuilding of Hurricane Hunters' home begins

    Reservists from the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., continue flying hurricane tracking missions from their temporary working location at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., while dealing with personal loss suffered from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.Although many of their neighborhoods

  • Ravens provide security for Hurricane Rita evacuations

    A four-person security forces Raven team left here Sept. 22 for Travis Air Force Base, Calif., along with four other teams from Air Mobility Command bases to provide security for AMC aircraft traveling to Texas and Louisiana.The Phoenix Raven program, implemented in 1997, consists of teams of

  • 5th U.S. Army establishes JTF-Rita

    U.S. Northern Command has ordered 5th U.S. Army to activate Joint Task Force-Rita here to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency as it supports state and local authorities in their preparation for Hurricane Rita.The purpose of JTF-Rita will be to command and control active-duty military

  • Texas guardsmen provide back-to-back hurricane assistance

    Texas Air National Guardsmen returning home from Hurricane Katrina duty had just enough time to catch up on sleep before receiving the order to repack their bags.Now they are preparing to deal with the aftermath of another hurricane, but this time it will hit closer to home. Hurricane Rita is

  • Air Force programs help families rebuild post-Katrina

    Hurricane Katrina is long gone, but civilians and Airmen are still picking up the pieces of their devastated lives.The Air Force helped many civilians in the aftermath of that storm, but it also made sure to take care of its own through Air Force OneSource, family and child development centers and

  • Keeping the mission going at home, away

    It has been nearly six months since the runway here closed for construction and more than 300 base Airmen “deployed” to Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., to continue the wing’s mission.Since then, a great relationship between the two bases, said Lt. Col. Paul Schultz, the 905th Air Refueling Squadron

  • Historic C-9 heads to Andrews for retirement

    The last remaining active-duty Air Force C-9 Nightingale received a red carpet farewell Sept. 20 when it departed for Andrews Air Force Base, Md.The final C-9, Tail 876 assigned to the 76th Airlift Squadron here, was flown to its new and final resting place at the air museum at Andrews.This

  • Lackland assists with Hurricane Rita evacuation

    People here once again are busily preparing to receive evacuees from another hurricane along the Gulf Coast -- the second in three weeks.Hurricane Rita, classified as a Category 4 and the third worst hurricane in recorded history, is heading for the Texas Gulf Coast and could bring more than 3,000

  • Keesler issues stop travel order

    All servicemembers who have been recalled to duty here and are still en route to the base are ordered to stop travel and remain in place until Sept. 25.The 81st Training Wing vice commander issued the order because of potential hazards associated with Hurricane Rita.Servicemembers are authorized to

  • Air Force issues stop movement to Texas Navy bases

    Air Force officials have issued a stop movement order for Airmen permanently moving to or transiting to Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, NAS Kingsville and Naval Station Ingleside, all in Texas, based on the probability that Hurricane Rita will affect the area.Stop movement precludes people from

  • Air Force mobilizes for Hurricane Rita

    As Hurricane Rita churns through the Gulf of Mexico, the Air Force is mobilizing forces in anticipation of the storm hitting the Texas Gulf Coast.The Category 5 hurricane -- some are already calling it a “monster storm” -- could make landfall near Galveston by late Sept. 23 or early Sept. 24,

  • Edwards medical squadrons assist Marines

    The purple force isn't just for joint operations at deployed locations.Technicians with the 95th Aerospace Medical Squadron, the 95th Medical Operations Squadron and the 95th Medical Support Squadron here helped out a Marine detachment recently by making sure their physical examinations were current

  • Users can log on to Portal with common access card

    Users can now log on to the Air Force Portal using their common access card and personal identification number. This latest change to the Air Force Portal means fewer passwords for users to remember and leads to greater security for Air Force networks, said Maj. David Gindhart of the Air Force

  • Airman identified from Sept. 19 motor vehicle fatality

    The Airman who died Sept. 19 in a motor vehicle accident in Egypt has been identified.First Lieutenant Sarah Small, a public affairs officer assigned to the Air and Space Expeditionary Force Center here, was in Egypt supporting Exercise Bright Star, a recurring joint/combined training exercise, when

  • Airmen in New Orleans prepare for Rita

    As Hurricane Rita gains strength in the Gulf of Mexico, the men and women of the 4th Air Expeditionary Group here are battening down the hatches in preparation for yet another storm surge.As of Sept. 21, weather experts were predicting that 2 to 4 inches of rain may fall here when Rita passes by

  • Air Force streamlines regional supply system

    In a significant reorganization of the Air Force supply system, two logistics support centers will soon replace and assume the responsibilities of five regional supply squadrons.Beginning in April 2006, the Mobility Air Forces Logistics Support Center here will begin handling supply back-shop

  • Airpower supports Afghan elections

    Airpower was in full effect as aircraft and crews supported Afghanistan’s National Assembly elections Sept. 18 by deterring attacks on the ground.U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II and EC-130H Compass Call aircraft and U.S. Navy EA-6B Prowlers here have stepped up efforts to provide safe and secure

  • Technology for war helps save lives in New Orleans

    Night-time flying through the darkened, flooded streets of New Orleans presented unique challenges to rescuers from the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla.The HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter crews constantly had to look out for power lines, buildings and other rescue aircraft in the area,

  • Travis Airman's first deployment real eye-opener

    For an Airman at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., his first deployment came at a record-setting pace in support of the relief effort in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.Airman 1st Class Brandon Calderon, of the 60th Aerial Port Squadron, left home at 4 a.m. and arrived here at 9 a. m. on Sept. 3

  • Peacekeeper missile mission ends during ceremony

    The Peacekeeper intercontinental ballistic missile mission came to an end Sept. 19 during a ceremony here. Hundreds of Airmen and civilians, including Dr. Ronald M. Sega, undersecretary of the Air Force, were on hand to celebrate the Peacekeeper’s role in nuclear deterrence.“Today we celebrate 19

  • Air Force Marathon draws runners, base community

    Some 3,454 runners from all 50 U.S. states and seven countries participated in the ninth annual U. S. Air Force Marathon Sept. 17.The full 26.2-mile race began the day at 7:35 a.m., followed by the four-person team relay race then the 13.1-mile half marathon race. A 5k (3.1-mile) race was held

  • Air Staff officials expand warrior image

    “We are a nation at war,” Gen. T. Michael Moseley wrote in a letter to all Airmen on Sept. 2, the day he was sworn in as Air Force chief of staff.As many Airmen are deployed on combat missions in places including Iraq and Afghanistan as well as humanitarian relief efforts in the Gulf Coast region,

  • Displaced hurricane family finds help in Air Force

    It was like walking into a family reunion. The children were riding scooters outside; the adults were mostly inside talking, surfing the Internet, and just enjoying one another’s company.Tech. Sgt. Christopher Reeves, of the 16th Logistics Readiness Squadron here, opened his base house to 22 family

  • Airmen deliver medicine to Marshall Islands

    A C-17 Globemaster III departed here Sept. 17 at 9:17 a.m. for Majuro, Marshall Islands, bringing much-needed supplies and medicine to hospital staff and patients after a fire ravaged the capital city’s hospital. With less than 24 hours of medicine on hand at the city’s only hospital, time was of

  • ‘Wings of Blue’ catch air

    Most college students are still sleeping at 5 a.m. Some might be getting up to cram for an exam. At the same time, some students at the nearby U.S. Air Force Academy are preparing for an adrenaline rush only a few people can ever dream about.They are the men and women of the academy’s “Wings of

  • Kirkuk unit controls Iraqi sky

    The 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron Detachment 1 here provides instantaneous and continuous information superiority by providing commanders and pilots with a real-time view of northern Iraq’s airspace.The detachment’s Airmen give operators at nearby Balad Air Base a key airspace picture,

  • Luke engineers come to Keesler's aid

    Helping repair Keesler after Hurricane Katrina struck the base is not the only thing on the mind of civil engineers deployed here; they are also helping the people here get back on their feet.The engineers, deployed from the 56th Civil Engineer Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., are helping the

  • One Airman killed, two injured in car accident

    An Air Force officer was killed Sept. 19 and two Airmen were injured in a motor vehicle accident that occurred in Egypt.They were participating in Exercise Bright Star, a recurring joint/combined training exercise.The cause of the accident is under investigation and the names of the Airmen are being

  • Air Force says farewell to most powerful ICBM

    The era of the Peacekeeper intercontinental ballistic missile, often credited with helping end the Cold War, is coming to its own close Sept. 19 with the final phase of the deactivation process.The deactivation began in October 2002 after President Bush set a plan in motion in 2001 to reduce the

  • Library service records messages for deploying Airmen

    While on active duty, Tech. Sgt. Jim Callahan wished that there was a way his wife and children could see and hear his voice, even though he was deployed thousands of miles away.Now retired and working as a computer systems analyst at the base library, Mr. Callahan and the rest of the library staff

  • Colonel’s training saved his life

    A colonel at this forward-deployed location credits his survival from a terrorist attack to his military training, and he is now passing that training on to others.More than a year after Lt. Col. Ed O’Neal redeployed from Saudi Arabia, where he was shot five times in a vicious terrorist attack, he

  • Airmen, families provide relief to hurricane victims

    Renee Siddall knew something needed to be done.When she turned on the news the morning of Aug. 30 and saw the trail of destruction left by Hurricane Katrina, she immediately went to Mountain Home Mayor Joe B. McNeal’s office and asked how the city, more than 2,000 miles away from the affected areas,

  • Insomniacs invade Manas

    They came fired up and ready to entertain the troops, and that is exactly what comedians Dave Attell and Scott Kennedy did here Sept. 14.The two stand-up comedians have been touring U.S. Central Command hot spots entertaining everyone from Florida Army National Guardsmen at a forward-deployed

  • Spangdahlem Airman describes life with Tops in Blue

    This year, an Airman here was selected and is touring as one of 30 “ambassadors” of music, vocals and dance in the Air Force’s premier performing troupe, Tops in Blue.Airman 1st Class Beverly Sadural, a 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron engineering assistant, will have brought America’s unique brand of

  • Fuels team assists in hurricane recovery efforts

    Plowing through 5 feet of water and providing fuels assistance to those who request it is not the typical job for an Air Force fuels team, but here they did what needed to be done.A fuels team with the 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron left Barksdale Air Force Base, La., on Sept. 1 to assist with

  • Civil engineer units have different missions, same goal

    It is 110 degrees and temperatures are steadily on the rise. Luckily, the office is air conditioned -- until the power goes out.An Airman puts in a work order, but it is not the only office that is suffering from this side effect of the heat. However, within 15 minutes, an ice-cold breeze of

  • Base photographers document history for future generations

    Photographers here are proving that a picture is truly worth a thousand words in fighting the war on terrorism. “Our images tell the military story to the American public, our children and their children, and beyond,” said Master Sgt. Maurice Hessel, base multimedia center manager and still

  • Moseley: Future of the Air Force

    To determine the way ahead, one must understand the heritage and history of the Air Force, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley said during his keynote address on the future of the Air Force at the Air Force Association’s 2005 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept.

  • Keesler hospital recovery picks up

    Part of the huge medical center at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. -- closed by Hurricane Katrina damage -- could open sooner than base officials estimated less than a week ago.The section, on the hospital’s first floor, could open in as little as two months, said Brig. Gen. (Dr.) James J. Dougherty,

  • Systems group adds technology to Katrina relief support

    While tons of relief supplies are flowing into the Gulf Coast daily, the Operations and Sustainment Systems Group here is shoring up the vital flow of communications to the hurricane-stricken region.Hours after Hurricane Katrina made landfall, the group's team of communications, logistics,

  • ‘Skills development’ becomes ‘arts and crafts’

    Air Force Services Agency officials gazed into the past to predict the future recently when they changed the name of skills development to the name it held until the early 1990s -- arts and crafts.“Generations of Air Force families took advantage of arts and crafts programs on Air Force bases

  • U.S., Indian air forces continue building relationship

    U.S. and Indian air forces took the latest step in their growing relationship recently when six Indian Airmen were here for a weeklong visit, while two U.S. Airmen visited their counterparts in India.Two Indian pilots, two air traffic controllers and two safety officers spent time learning about

  • Eglin wing picks ups missions from Louisiana ANG

    As many of the bases Air Force-wide support Joint Task Force-Katrina, the 33rd Fighter Wing here is doing its part by scrambling to help the Louisiana Air National Guard.Just 36 hours after the wing’s 60th Fighter Squadron returned from a Hurricane Katrina evacuation Aug. 31, the squadron has been

  • Eglin provides shelter for Hurricane Ophelia evacuees

    Nineteen aircraft from Langley Air Force Base, Va., found shelter from the storm on the runway here Sept. 13.The 1st Fighter Wing jets, along with a crew of 90 support Airmen, arrived here midafternoon, evacuated from Virginia because of the expected arrival of Hurricane Ophelia. Providing shelter

  • Airmen pull duty with Marines

    Two Airmen with the 8th Information Warfare Flight deployed from here to become the first enlisted Airmen assigned to the Marine Multinational Force-West’s command operations center in Iraq.Tech. Sgts. Jason Graves and Carl Weaver are providing targeting and intelligence support to the Marine

  • OSI ‘protecting the force’ at New Orleans airport

    When Air Force Office of Special Investigations special agents arrived at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport on Sept. 6, their mission was to help protect 4th Air Expeditionary Group Airmen deployed here.“We’re conducting local criminal threat assessments to determine if there are any

  • Edwards Airmen help 'Monk' solve mystery

    When most people watch an episode of the USA Network TV show "Monk," they see an obsessive-compulsive detective, but may never realize the hundreds of people it takes to bring this character to life.In the same way, many people see an F-16 Fighting Falcon fly over Dodger stadium during pre-game

  • Senior leaders address key issues at conference

    Air Force senior leaders answered questions on topics ranging from the buildup of military power in China to the status of Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., during an open panel discussion here Sept. 13.Six Air Force major command commanders joined Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Air Force chief of staff, to

  • Keesler turnaround: training starts Sept. 19

    Training in five key career fields restarts for 400 Airmen here Sept. 19, six months sooner than base officials forecasted more than a week ago.Then, more students will start training the following week, said Col. Jessie Canaday, 81st Training Group commander. And more students will gradually enter

  • AF Climate Survey launches Oct. 1

    Airmen have the power to shape the future when the 2005 Air Force Climate Survey launches Oct. 1. “The direction we take depends on you!” said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald Murray. “The motto of the 2005 Climate Survey, ‘Speak Today, Shape Tomorrow,’ accurately reflects the impact this

  • Eagle Eyes in action

    Two men were spotted at the end of the runway at a nearby Air Force base, one holding a large metal tube on his shoulder and the other with a camera.The incident caused airborne planes from that base to land here at McConnell. The suspicious activity was found not to be credible; however, it was

  • Pay rules change for general schedule employees

    The Office of Personnel Management recently amended the rules governing pay setting for employees covered by the General Schedule. The rules implement section 301 of the Federal Workforce Flexibility Act of 2004.The act’s primary purpose is to correct various pay anomalies relating to the

  • 620th AES members deliver hope

    Airmen with the 620th Air Expeditionary Squadron have been delivering hope in the form of food, water and baby supplies to people affected by Hurricane Katrina since Sept. 5.“Before I came down here, I had seen the photos and videos on television,” said Capt. Jake Brittingham, 620th AES pilot

  • Deployed sergeant served in Marines, Army, Navy and now Air Force

    Staff Sgt. James Murphy isn’t your typical Airman. A 30-year-old tattoo of U.S.M.C. peeking out from his T-shirt sleeve and his no-nonsense attitude may shed light on some of his life story, but it wouldn’t come close to telling most of it.Sergeant Murphy, a night shift supervisor for the flightline

  • Vandenberg launches Minuteman III

    Vandenberg Airmen successfully conducted the final force development evaluation launch of the year from North Vandenberg Sept. 14 at 1:01 a.m. An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was launched to ensure the weapon system is operationally effective. Testing the reliability and

  • No life left behind -- rescuers save pets, too

    When Senior Master Sgt. James Sanchez goes on a rescue mission here, he makes sure the basic tools of the trade are in order -- a secure hoist, communication equipment, ear protection, water, dog biscuits and a can of cat treats.To him, no one gets left behind."It's hard to turn away an animal that

  • Airmen pitch in for New Orleans cleanup

    After living at the New Orleans airport for 10 days while building three tent cities, Air Force civil engineers headed downtown Sept. 13 to help clean up Hurricane Katrina wreckage.“It’s great (the engineers) can get out and help these people directly,” said Capt. Paul Fredin, who is assigned to the

  • Tops in Blue seeking talented Airmen

    The annual search for Air Force talent during the Worldwide Talent Contest is scheduled Nov. 6 to 14 at nearby Lackland Air Force Base, and the deadline for submissions is Oct. 5.Besides competing for the Roger Award, given to the best performers in five separate categories, participants also vie

  • Officials to determine course for Keesler Airmen

    Officials here should find out soon a more definitive future for the more than 1,200 Airmen trainees from Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., who arrived here Sept. 1 after Hurricane Katrina hit their base.Until a decision is made, Airmen will shadow permanent-party Airmen in the career field they are

  • Recapitalization highlighted at AFA conference

    Modernizing and investing in the aircraft inventory and technology is an ongoing process that will never go away, said the Air Force's senior-most civilian and military leaders.During the Air Force Association's 2005 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 12, Air Force Chief

  • Reserve conducts aerial spray mission over Louisiana

    The Air Force Reserve continues to save lives in Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath by conducting the first of many aerial spray missions that began Sept. 12 over Louisiana in an attempt to reduce mosquito and filth fly populations.The Department of Defense’s only fixed-wing aerial spray unit, the 910th

  • ANG offers opportunities for active-duty Airmen

    The Air National Guard is one of the components of the Air Force’s total force, and it has openings for Airmen wishing to transition from active duty to part-time military service.“The Air National Guard has been one of the best kept secrets in the Air Force,” said Master Sgt. Sean Strong, an ANG

  • Officials: Beware of donation scams

    Scenes of chaos and destruction resulting from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina have left Airmen nationwide wondering how they can help those affected by the tragedy.Like many Americans across the nation, Airmen and their families seek to help in the hurricane recovery. While these Samaritans

  • U-2 aids in Katrina relief

    The reconnaissance mission here has long been the cornerstone of providing critical information to commanders worldwide, but after hurricane Katrina that mission has moved much closer to home.For almost two weeks, the 9th Reconnaissance Wing here has supported relief efforts by flying U-2S missions

  • Keesler helping restore Gulf Coast medical infrastructure

    The Air Force joined a unified medical command of local, state and federal agencies aiming to restore primary care services to Mississippi’s ravaged Gulf Coast.The area needs a unified response since Hurricane Katrina crippled its medical infrastructure and scattered many of its health-care

  • Airman delivers U.S. flag to NYC firefighters

    Senior Airman Travis Barton may have waited two years to deliver a gift to New York's fire department, but the message that came along with it was timeless.The year was 2003, and Airman Barton was stationed at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England. Operation Iraqi Freedom was well under way and his

  • Raptor advances to next phase of acquisition

    The F/A-22 Raptor recently finished avionics engineering manufacturing development testing here and surpassed 2,592 flight hours, pushing the aircraft one step closer to taking its place as the premier weapon system of the U.S. Air Force."This mission-avionics testing tied in system effectiveness,

  • Command chiefs address Airmen’s concerns

    The chief master sergeant of the Air Force joined command chief master sergeants from Air Force major commands during a forum at the Air Force Association’s 2005 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 12."This is truly a historic time in which we serve in the Air Force," said

  • Predator flies unprecedented combat flight hours

    Airmen who operate and fly the MQ-1B Predator are tired, but you couldn’t tell that by the unprecedented 27,000 hours the Predator has flown this past year supporting operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.Some in the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., believe they